Hyderabad: Amid ongoing efforts to conserve the 400-acre forest at Kancha Gachibowli, a PIL was filed seeking its designation as an ecologically sensitive zone. The PIL highlights that the forest is home to a variety of species, some of which are endangered, along with two lakes and thousands of trees and shrubs that serve as vital lung space for the rapidly urbanising city.
“In addition to this, the forest contains unique rock formations, one of them colloquially referred to as ‘mushroom rock’. The Buffalo Lake and Peacock Lake are also part of the said forest. The subject forest is a vital ecological habitat that is home to about 237 species of birds, peacocks, several wild animal species such as spotted deer, wild boars, star tortoises, and various snakes such as the Indian rock python, boas, etc.,” the petition stated. The petition was filed by environmentalist Uday Krishna, founder of the VATA Foundation.
The petition also highlighted a Supreme Court ruling in the case TN Godavarman Thirumulpad v Union of India (1996), wherein the Supreme Court clarified the meaning of ‘forest’ under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
“The court stated that the term ‘forest’ should not be limited to govt records or legal notifications. Instead, it should be understood in its natural sense—any land that looks and functions like a forest, even if it is not officially recognised as one, should still be protected under the law,” the petition quoted.
The demands in the petition include recognising the forest as a national park, restraining any further activity on the land, and more.